Penny Carroll

Writer & Editor

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  • Editing

    What is an author-sensitive editorial approach?

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    My editing values are all about making sure your work is valued and you feel comfortable throughout the editing process.

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  • Author interviews

    Samantha L. Valentine is writing it like it is

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    This romance author is passionate about real diversity in fiction.

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  • How-to

    Who’s talking? Finding the right point-of-view character for your scene

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    If you’re writing a dual or multi-POV novel, read this for tips on choosing the right character to lead pivotal scenes.

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  • Author interviews

    “I really want readers to fall in love with every character” – Emma Mugglestone on writing a small-town romance series

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    Meet the author of the gorgeous new small-town romance novel The Reality of Us.

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  • Editing, How-to, Writing

    How to format text messages in fiction

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    A woman standing in front of a window looks at her phone screen as though reading a text message.

    An easy guide to depicting dialogue as text messages in a contemporary fiction novel. Text messages are a part of everyday life so if you’re writing contemporary fiction there’s a good chance you’ll want to include a few in your story. But how do you format them? Should you use quote marks? Do you need […]

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  • Editing, How-to

    Introducing the vocative comma

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    This tiny piece of punctuation saves lives. One of the best things about punctuation is that when it’s used correctly it’s invisible in plain sight. It’s like driving a road you know so well that you get home without recalling the journey. But when it’s misused? Those misplaced commas, semicolons and dashes can be jarring! […]

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Hi there!
Hi there!

I'm Penny, a writer and editor. On this blog I share writing tips, editing advice and interviews with authors to get you inspired. Read more

 
Recent Posts
  • How to make your dialogue shine
  • Trust issues: Why trusting your reader is vital for strong storytelling
  • Tips for using expletives in fiction
  • When is the best time to work with beta readers?
  • Everything you need to know about semicolons
Categories
  • Author interviews
  • Editing
  • How-to
  • Proofreading
  • Writing

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Let’s talk, writers. Having trouble getting your c Let’s talk, writers. Having trouble getting your characters to sound like real people on the page? The secret is to aim for a glazed version of conversation that sounds authentic, but better. Swipe through for some of my top tips and head to the link in bio for more dialogue pointers. #writing #dialogue
It might not feel like it when you’re slogging awa It might not feel like it when you’re slogging away at your desk on your own, but all stories are a collaboration between the author and the reader. So, learning to trust your reader to see the layers you’ve built, hear the emotion in your dialogue or picture the world you’re creating is essential. Swipe to find out where a lock of trust often shows up in stories and what to do about it. And if you want more tips like these, sign up for my fortnightly newsletter via my bio! #writingadvice #writingtips #fiction
It was such a joy to interview @authorjademay for It was such a joy to interview @authorjademay for the launch of her new book Devoured by Eden on Thursday night. It was a full house at dream bookstore @romancing.the.novel and our convo covered everything from choosing cover models to coping with chronic illness and the craft of writing a fast-paced medical romance thriller. And in honour of the story’s 15-hour timeline, there was a giveaway every 15 minutes — fun!  I’ve been working with Jade for a couple of years now and seeing her flourish as both an author and advocate for people with chronic illness is so exciting — but not at all surprising. If you haven’t already read her books, I can’t recommend them enough. Think strong female characters, gripping storylines and of course, sizzling chemistry ❤️‍🔥  Big thanks to everyone who came to celebrate and the wonderful businesses who supported the event: @wildsecrets.official @romantasygames @swoonsips @theromancemafia @boundinfiction @littleglowcandleco 🩷💕💖
Boo! Are any of these story spooks haunting you? N Boo! Are any of these story spooks haunting you? Not on my watch... 🎃🔮🍵  Happy halloween from your friendly word witch! 🧙‍♀️ 
#halloween #amwriting #amediting

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